Seasonal Investigation of Aflatoxin M1 Level in Afyon Tulum Cheese

Introduction: The milk produced from dairy animals fed with feed intake aflatoxin may include Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). Dairy products, produced with milk containing AFM1 represent an important problem in terms of public health. Methods: This study investigated AFM1 in Afyon Tulum cheese (ATC) taken in Afyonkarahisar province. For analysis, 80 samples of Afyon Tulum cheese were collected and stored at -20°C. All samples were then analyzed using a commercial Aflatoxin M1 ELISA test kit. Results: AFM1 was found between 0.007-0,017 ug/kg in spring-summer season and between 0.006- 0,041 ug/kg in autumn-winter season. AFM1 levels were found under the Turkish Food Codex (TFC) limit (0,05 μg/kg) in all samples. Conclusion: It is recommended that milk containing AFM1 should not be used in production and the feeds used in animal feeding and storage conditions should be checked.